Farming Issues
Crop Protection Policy
Issues
Crop protection is a critical facet in the optimization of sugar cane production. Production losses to the industry can be high because of the impact of disease, weeds and animal pests.
To maintain productivity through crop protection, a number of activities are undertaken by the industry. These include risk surveillance of disease by BSES and other agencies, the introduction of improved generic varieties to the industry, the chemical and biological treatment of disease by integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, feral animal control, training in chemical use and correct disposal of used chemical containers.
There is need to continually monitor and implement actions in these areas, so that sugar cane productivity is maintained or improved.
Objective
To ensure that the necessary tools for ongoing crop protection are available and readily accessible by farmers and are used in a socially acceptable manner.
Policies
- That CANEGROWERS continue to promote crop protection activities with funding agencies so that providers can continue to undertake research and development in this area.
- That risk surveillance programs are funded so that the entry of exotic sugar cane diseases into Australia is minimised.
- That BSES and other agencies are encouraged to continue to develop new disease resistant varieties and systems for crop protection.
- That chemicals needed for ongoing disease and weed control are identified and registered with the APVMA. These chemicals are to be used according to label instructions and used in accordance with conditions to minimise spray drift.
- That integrated pest management (IPM) strategies continue to be disseminated and revised through research and development.
- That CANEGROWERS continues to support the activities of Plant Health Australia (PHA).
- That feral animal control programs particularly for pigs and rats are funded and cost effective programs are implemented.
- That Chemcert continues to be the course of preference for growers for training in the use of chemicals used in the sugarcane industry.
- That the disposal service for used chemical materials e.g. drum muster and any other suitable government program is supported by the industry.
Farm Management Policy
Issues
Linking the demands of agricultural productivity and profitability with responsible environmental management is a major challenge for cane growers.
The Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Plan and regional Natural Resource Management Plans have focussed attention on farming practices and their potential impacts on aquatic environments. Open communication by the industry with stakeholders is becoming more important as the industry attempts to build public confidence in how farms are managed. As new issues emerge, the ability of the industry to ensure public confidence will become critical to maintaining a positive political environment that endorses cane farming.
The ability of the industry to self-manage is continually being eroded by the development of legislation and restrictions on how farming is conducted. Maintaining access to appropriate chemicals and fertilisers in the face of ongoing demands for public accountability is an important issue.
A Farm Management System (FMS) is a voluntary approach that can be used by growers to identify and manage risks, including environmental risks, that may occur as a result of their farming operation. It is a way for growers to bring together and record what they currently do on farm and what a grower needs to put in place for good farm management. FMS aims to benefit growers by focusing attention on implementing good farm management practices and then reviewing progress made against set targets e.g. regional natural resource management targets. FMS can help draw diverse on-farm management issues together under a common flexible ‘systems’ approach.
A coordinated industry approach to farm management will provide the necessary support, resources, research and tools to assist an individual growing enterprise to self-manage its operation. It will assist in displaying to the general public the support tools, support services and programs which growers have adopted to continue to farm in a sustainable manner..
Objectives
- Develop a voluntary approach to sustainable farm management which will promote adoption of key practices which lead to increased profit and improved environmental performance.
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Ensure growers maintain economic, environmental and socially sustainable access to resources within the context of changing government legislation.
Policies
Farm Management Outcome
The outcome of an industry-led farm management program will be the responsible and sustainable use of soil, water and other physical resources, consistent with economic efficiency and community aspirations, providing opportunities for the industry to develop program(s) which meet these outcomes.
FMS Program
An industry-led FMS program will build on existing industry programs, be simple to implement, minimise the cost to individual enterprises, improve efficiencies of record keeping, and contain a self-assessment component. Adoption by growers should be on a voluntary basis. An industry-led FMS program will support acceptable standards promoting good farm practice agreed to by the industry groups.
The FMS Program will accommodate regional differences and regional risks.
CANEGROWERS supports the development of a Sugar Industry Farm Management Systems Strategy and seeks the involvement and support of key sugar industry groups in the development of this strategy.
The QFF FMS Framework provides a guide to inform the development of farm management systems in the sugarcane industry to improve profitability, productivity and sustainability of sugarcane growers.
To complement the industry-led FMS program, CANEGROWERS may seek incentives from the government for the implementation of environmentally sustainable farming systems.
Provision of extension services to cane growers to adopt good farm management practices which are consistent with sustainable agriculture and conservation of coastal ecosystems, continues to be of high importance. Industry agreement of these good farm management practices is essential.
Revision of the Code of Practice for Sustainable Cane Growing in Queensland is part of the process of achieving stakeholder endorsement that farming practices meet the general environmental duty of care.
The COMPASS self-assessment workbook is a valuable tool with which growers can assess the sustainability of their farming practices, while recognising that the workbook will require revision as new industry good farm management practices are developed. As such, CANEGROWERS promotes COMPASS as a useful first step and key component for a grower’s farm management system. COMPASS is one method to assist growers with self-assessment in their farm management system.
The adoption of agreed good farm management practices (given due regard to regional differences) by the majority of growers through the delivery of industry endorsed, competency-based training programs, is seen as a key component. Development and implementation of programs, which allow reporting industry performance, either as in a Public Environment Report or as agreed NRM Management Targets will assist communication with stakeholders.
Certification options with potential incentives for the sugar industry will continue to be explored but are not an essential requirement for a sugarcane grower’s farm management system.
Access to Chemical and Fertilisers
Agricultural chemicals and fertilisers are essential components of the sustainable cane farming system. Their continued availability and registration is required.
